MBA admissions are comprehensive. This means admissions officers consider more than just test scores and her GPA when considering a candidate.
usa news recently highlighted the key qualities that B-schools look for in applicants, from leadership to communication skills.
leadership potential
When applying to B-schools, evidence of leadership is important. In fact, many argue that it is the most important factor.
“I've always said for years that leadership is the most important factor in a business school application. And it's always been the most difficult to define,” he says of B-school admissions. says Betsy Massar, founder of Master Admissions, a California-based consultancy that helps.
Matt Symonds, co-founder and director of Fortuna Admissions, recommends identifying stories of specific scenarios in your professional experience that demonstrate strong leadership potential.
“Start sketching out your story from the big picture to the smallest details with some examples in mind, but be sure to set the scene and get to the point quickly,” Simmons says. “You have to be able to communicate what you did, why you did it, the impact on others, and the final result. , make sure there is an end.”
credibility
Too often, applicants get caught up in trying to craft the “ideal” or “perfect” MBA application. In fact, admissions officers prefer authentic, true stories.
“We want our applications, especially the required essays and interviews, to be authentic and avoid generic answers,” said Steve Thompson, senior director of full-time admissions at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. I recommend it to applicants.”
Nellie Gaynor, an MBA admissions counselor at a university consulting firm and former associate director of admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, says applicants should use the personal statement to connect all parts of the MBA application. states.
“Don't say anything that makes you think the admissions committee wants to hear,” Gaynor says. “Be authentic and share your unique story. Connect the dots of your background and past life experiences to your future career goals to create a narrative that shows self-awareness and thoughtfulness.”
fit
After all, B-schools are looking for students who fit their values and can contribute to the community. Whether it's in your essays, letters of recommendation, or interviews, be sure to match your goals and ambitions to the B-school you're applying to.
“Earning an MBA also means joining a lifelong network,” says Colin Davis, senior director of marketing and operations for the MBA program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. “We want to understand how candidates resonate with our community’s values: curiosity, diverse perspectives, flexibility, and a pay-it-forward mindset.”
Source: US News
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